Frontier Days 2012 starts Friday

Make plans to take part in this annual, fun-packed extravaganza

May 27, 2012

The long-standing tradition of Frontier Days is once again upon us. This will be the 38th year for this annual event. It again will bring fun for the whole family to take in and enjoy. It starts Friday at 4 p.m. and runs through Sunday until 4 p.m. Each day will be filled with events, vendors, crafters, Buckskinners, bands, homegrown talent and, of course, the Fort Museum that is filled with rich tradition of years gone past.

For all the music lovers out there, Frontier Days has you covered. Starting Friday evening, join Scotty Roxtar under the big top as he opens for one of the area's favorite bands, Saucy Jack. Saturday is sure to be a crowd pleaser with members of the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall of fame. The Fabulous Uniques perform Saturday afternoon. And again Saturday evening Scotty Roxtar will be open for one of the most wild and crazy party bands to hit the area - The Breakfast Club. Sunday afternoon, listen to the down home sounds of Shadric Smith and the Smith Family Band.

Along with all the different foods and area crafters to take in, make sure to stop by the Buckskinners Camp and partake in how life was in the early 1800s. As always, there will be many camps, displays and demonstrations to test your skills and knowledge of our past. The fort itself will be filled with period items from around the area for all to enjoy. And don't forget Main Street, letting us see and feel how it was to walk work and shop in days gone by. This year the fort will also have artisans showing their talents and crafts such as blacksmiths and woodworkers. And one of the most popular attractions is the Ghost Garrison portraying past military units from the area will be set up in front of the fort.

New this year will be the Bill Riley State Fair Talent Search, appearing Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Local talent will strut their stuff trying to earn the opportunity to make it to the State Fair and compete on the big stage.

We all tend to lose sight, and take for granted, that these events will always be there to attend. We sometimes forget that countless hours of work and planning and money go into an event such as Frontier Days and without volunteers and donor, these events don't take place. So as Frontier Days heads into this year, and future years, we need your help. We are looking for good community-minded people to join and volunteer to help us make this year and future years a huge success. We desperately need people to help for a few hours with the parade on Saturday and at the Fort during the weekend. If you have what it takes and would like to see this annual tradition continue and grow, please join us and make a difference. To help, call Kerk Friday at 571-7293 or Michelle Wendt at 408-1559. Thank you and let's make this community a great place for all to enjoy.